In a world that profits off our self-doubt, loving your body is a radical act.
From a young age, we’re taught to believe that our worth is tied to how we look—especially for women. This messaging isn’t accidental. It’s rooted in a patriarchal system where men have traditionally been valued for their achievements and possessions, while women have been measured by beauty, youth, and size.
When women begin gaining collective power—socially, politically, economically—there’s often a backlash in the form of beauty trends that push us back into our bodies and out of our voices. History shows this pattern clearly: right after the women’s liberation movement of the 1970s, we got the heroin-chic ideal of the 90s. After the body positivity surge of the 2010s, we’re again seeing a push for ultra-thinness in media, fashion, and wellness culture.
These shifts aren’t just trends—they’re tools of control. When you’re worrying about your stomach in a meeting or skipping meals to fit into last year’s jeans, you’re easier to distract. You play smaller. You speak less boldly. You take up less space in every sense.
But here’s the truth: your body is not the problem. The standards are.
So how do we begin to break free?
Here are research-backed methods for improving body image and building lasting self-esteem:
🌿 Practice Body Neutrality
You don’t have to love your body every day. Instead, try appreciating it for what it does rather than how it looks. “I’m grateful my legs carried me today” is just as powerful as “I love how I look.”
🧠 Challenge Appearance-Based Thinking
Notice how often your thoughts focus on appearance—your own or others’. Try gently redirecting that focus to how you feel, what you’re experiencing, or what you’re creating.
💬 Curate Your Social Media Feed
Follow accounts that show diverse bodies, celebrate function over form, or promote inner wellness. Unfollow anything that makes you feel “less than.”
🧘♀️ Engage in Movement for Joy, Not Punishment
Choose movement that helps you feel connected to your body, not ashamed of it. Dance. Walk. Stretch. Rest.
💞 Use Self-Compassion, Not Self-Criticism
We don’t shame a plant for needing water or sunlight. Be as kind to yourself as you are to others. Your body is doing its best—for you.
At Cerebene, we believe wellness isn’t about shrinking your body—it’s about expanding your life.
Every tool we share is designed to help you feel more grounded, more empowered, and more you. True beauty begins when we stop apologizing for taking up space.
You are enough—right now, in the body you have.